Soul Man (1986)

14% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(6,629 ratings)

An ambitious but spoiled rich white kid wins a scholarship to Harvard Law School by pretending to be African-American in this broadly played comedy. After his father cuts him off financially, Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell) wins a full tuition scholarship to Harvard by claiming to be African-American… More An ambitious but spoiled rich white kid wins a scholarship to Harvard Law School by pretending to be African-American in this broadly played comedy. After his father cuts him off financially, Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell) wins a full tuition scholarship to Harvard by claiming to be African-American on the application form. With the help of his best friend, Gordon (Arye Gross), Mark acquires some bronzing pills, a new hairdo, and a lowered voice. Disguised as a black student, Mark thinks that he's going to breeze through the program. The reality of being a minority at a mostly white institution quickly catches up to him, however, when he encounters some tacit racism and falls for Sarah Walker (Rae Dawn Chong), a fellow student whose affection makes him feel guilty about his ruse. Then there's the imperious Professor Banks (James Earl Jones), an African-American instructor who expects him to perform at a higher level than the other students. Soul Man was written by Carol Black and directed by Steve Miner, who would collaborate again for the popular television series The Wonder Years (1988-1993). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Steve Miner
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 24, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Mar 19, 2002
Studio: New World Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
This social farce is excellently written, fast paced and intelligently directed.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's a blithe, silly, good-natured movie and, of its kind, quite an enjoyable one.
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post
The pity is, it isn't even outrageous.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Of course, simply everyone is completely bamboozled by our hero's disguise, even though he now looks like a Ken doll with liver disease.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This is a genuinely interesting idea, filled with dramatic possibilities, but the movie approaches it on the level of a dim-witted sit-com.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Amiable but politically confused.
Clint Morris, Brag Magazine
Howell is awesome in this unforgettable comedy classic
Liz Beardsworth, Empire Magazine
The comedy was out of date before they even made this, no matter how much they try and twist the ending.
, Time Out
In the end, however, it's let down by one easy laugh too many.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Unreal, politically dumb premise with Howell in blackface .
, Film4
Ultimately its refusal to tackle any real issues makes this a thoroughly bland American comedy.
Bob Ross, Tampa Tribune
An insult

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

It?s another classic 80's film. The film I think is innocent enough, unintentionally offensive maybe but not racist. Anyone seen White Chicks? No, because it looks shit but I hear no complaints!
First L

"Soul Man" is an embarrassing movie that somehow manages to be simultaneously intentionally and unintentionally racist. C. Thomas Howell plays a pampered rich kid whose parents cut him off just as he's been accepted to Harvard law school. He takes an overdose of… More
"Soul Man" is an embarrassing movie that somehow manages to be simultaneously intentionally and unintentionally racist. C. Thomas Howell plays a pampered rich kid whose parents cut him off just as he's been accepted to Harvard law school. He takes an overdose of "tanning" pills and voila! he's african american! Add to that a cheap afro wig, and he's gets a fully paid scholarship reserved for african american students. C. Thomas really doesn't look ethnic at all though, he just looks like a guy in blackface. Not alot of laughs in this movie, either intentional or post-ironic, it's just sort of average (although the sight of 90 lb C. Thomas punching out two guys who go FLYING across the room is pretty entertaining- what was it about punching a guy in the 80s that caused him to go flying 20 feet across a building?). A completely pedestrian waste of time.
Leigh R

Eh...
xGary X

Contrived schmaltzy rubbish that purports to tackle race issues, but at best is superficial, at worst offensive in it's exploitative treatment of a serious issue.
Matthew L

This has got to be one of the most underestimated 80's movies around! Whatever happened to C. Thomas Howell? Criminal Minds TV?? He needs to be back doing films like this! Very funny moments in this and James Earl Jones is pricelss as well as I hate to say it Arye Gross?? I… More
This has got to be one of the most underestimated 80's movies around! Whatever happened to C. Thomas Howell? Criminal Minds TV?? He needs to be back doing films like this! Very funny moments in this and James Earl Jones is pricelss as well as I hate to say it Arye Gross?? I usually hate him but he was funny! Rae Dong Chongs really only good movie! Even Leslie Neilsen and Julia Louis Dreyfus did well in this classic!
Leo L

Hilarious!

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            C. Thomas Howell as Mark Watson

            Arye Gross as Gordon Bloomfield

            Rae Dawn Chong as Sarah Walker

            James Earl Jones as Prof. Banks

            Melora Hardin as Whitney Dunbar

            James B. Sikking as William  Watson

            Leslie Nielsen as Mr. Dunbar

            Max Wright as Dr. Aronson

            Jeff Altman as Ray McGrady

            Jonathan [Fudge] Leonard as George Walker

            Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Lisa Stinson

            Betty Cole as Mrs. Walker

            M.C. Gainey as Man in Cell

            Donald Hotton as Mr. Wicher

            Amy Stock-Poynton as Girl in Bed

            Wally Ward as Barky Brewer

            Jonathan Wise as Andrew

            Freddie Dawson as D.J.

            Linda Hoy as Mrs. Sherwood

            Paul O'Brien as Officer Schkolnick

            Ann Walker as Mrs. Dunbar

            Melissa Skoff
            
            Paul F. O'Brien as Officer Schkolnick

            David Reynolds
            
            Wallace Langham
            
See full cast

Soul Man (1986)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

First L

Leigh R

xGary X

Matthew L

Leo L

Cast

Trailers & Clips